Jesse Plemons Not Returning as FNL Regular Next Season

Jesse Plemons will not be returning for the fifth, and supposedly final, season of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, at least not full-time.

Executive producer Jason Katims confirms that the actor’s contract option was not picked up. “With Jesse — as with previous cast members who have moved on — Pete Berg, myself and the producers of the show let the storytelling guide us,” he explains, “and we feel we didn’t have substantial enough storylines to justify keeping such an immensely talented actor from pursuing what we know will continue to be a very successful career.

“Jesse has created one of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS finest and most beloved characters,” Katims adds, “and I can tell you this was not an easy decision.”